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Abandoned Detroit

Collected by: San Jose State University, School of Information

Archived since: Sep, 2014

Description:

This collection is comprised of a modest sampling of sites that feature images, articles, and commentary reflecting diverse perspectives on photographing Detroit’s urban and industrial ruins. Photographs of abandoned and decaying spaces in Detroit, also known as “ruin porn,” have become the poster child for industrial decline in the United States. The term ruin porn is attributed to James Griffioen, Detroit resident and photographer, who used the term during a 2009 interview with Vice magazine to describe journalists flocking to Detroit following the 2008 financial crisis. Griffioen argued that these journalists neglected the complexity of the city’s economic problems and overlooked examples of health and growth by presenting the images out of context and through a prism of stylized photography to manipulate the narrative that the media presents about the city. As the economic health of Detroit begins to rebound, these discussions will be a part of its history; the possible transformation of these buildings and spaces from ruin to reclamation will make documenting its progression even more important.

Subject:   Arts & Humanities Society & Culture Detroit (Mich.) Ruins, Modern Detroit (Mich.)--History Photojournalism Architecture, American Architecture and society Abandoned buildings

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Title: Motown or Ghostown? Ruin Porn In Detroit

URL: http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2011/01/motown-or-ghostown-ruin-porn-in-detroit/21443/

Description: This document evaluates various treatments/articles devoted to addressing the effects of depicting the post-recession images of Detroit as “ruin porn”. Commentaries explored range from cautionary tales of the city as a microcosm of a systemic crisis to the counterproductive effect that the concept of “ruin porn” has on the people of Detroit, poverty and art as a movement.

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Subject:   Photojournalism Detroit (Mich.) Ruins, Modern Architecture, American Architecture and society

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